Teen held over stepmother's death

SEREMBAN: A teenager arrested for killing his stepmother was said to have attacked her because of her bias treatment against him and other siblings.

State CID chief Asst Comm Mohmad Salleh said investigations showed the 17-year-old suspect attacked her in her home in Felda Palong Tujuh, Rompin, in a fit of rage after an argument broke out between the two.

He said police recovered a parang stained with blood, believed to be the murder weapon, after combing the vicinity for clues.

“With the arrest, we have solved the murder case of Mariam Mohamad within 24 hours after her body was found,” he said, adding that a police team led by Jempol CID chief Asst Supt Makhetar Yaacob picked up the suspect at about 9pm on Friday.

The suspect was taking refuge at a relative’s house in Felda Bukit Sanggeh, Jasin, Malacca, when police got wind of his whereabouts and raided the house.

ACP Mohmad said the suspect had been remanded for two weeks to help with investigations into the case, classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

The body of Mariam, 42, was found by her cousin several metres away from her house when he visited her on Friday.

The victim, a factory worker, had three children and was supporting three others from her husband’s previous marriage.